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Managed retreat: Could this "extreme" move be one of the best ways of dealing with climate change?

Aug 4, 2023

1 min

A.R. Siders



Climate change is wreaking havoc on every part of the world right now. Coastal towns are seeing more consistent floods, inland cities are being plagued by droughts and fires and regions unaccustomed to deadly high temperatures are struggling to adapt. 


A.R. Siders, assistant professor in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration and the Department of Geography and a core faculty member of the Disaster Research Center, looks at climate change and the impact it is having on communities. 



One solution she poses for regions being pummeled by climate change is managed retreat. The idea is to plan an exit strategy for a community before these life-altering events occur. One such example is Valmeyer, Ill. In 1993, back-to-back floods swamped the town, officials simply moved their residents to higher ground.


Siders can discuss the advantages to this seemingly extreme move and other ways communities can deal with climate change. She has been featured in multiple national outlets including The New York Times, NPR and Vice. She is available for interviews. Click "View Profile" to connect with her. 

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A.R. Siders

A.R. Siders

Director, Climate Change Science & Policy Hub | Core Faculty, Disaster Research Center | Associate Professor, Biden School of Public Policy and Administration & Department of Geography & Spatial Sciences

Prof. Siders' research focuses on climate change adaptation policies with an emphasis on relocation and fairness in adaptation.

Climate ChangeManaged RetreatClimate & Disaster StudyEnvironmental Video GamesClimate Change Adaptation Policies

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